Lawmaker wants bids on future train deals

Wisconsin governors would be prevented from negotiating no bid state contracts on trains, under legislation being proposed at the Capitol.

Governor Doyle signed a $47 million deal with a Spanish company in July to purchase two new passenger trains. State Senator Rob Cowles (R-Green Bay) says the no bid contract is concerning, because other companies were also interested in dealing with Wisconsin.

The Doyle Administration has said it sent out requests for information to several companies, but the only one that got back to it was Talgo. As a result, Doyle used a 1997 law that exempts passenger rail contracts from the competitive bidding process to ink a deal with the company.

Cowles is proposing legislation that would repeal that law, requiring the state to once again seek bids on any passenger rail purchase. He says the move is needed to make sure Wisconsin gets the best deal it can on any future purchases.